What Interior Design Choices Actually Add Value?

When you can choose the budget option and when premium is really the only choice.

Written by Louise Wynne, founder of Wildkind Interiors.

When you're preparing a property for sale or rent, every design decision matters. But not every choice needs to be premium, and not every budget option is a compromise. The trick is knowing where to spend and where to save, so your property feels high-end without blowing the profit margin.

Here’s a breakdown of where to go budget, where to invest, and how to get that polished finish buyers love; especially if you're an investor, developer, or landlord looking to maximise property value through smart interior design.

1. Flooring: Spend Smart, Not Big

Flooring is one of the most impactful design elements in a property. Get it right, and it adds perceived value instantly. Get it wrong, and buyers mentally knock thousands off the asking price. But you don’t need premium flooring in every room to achieve great results.

Best Budget Flooring for Property Developers:

LVT (Luxury Vinyl Tile)Ideal for kitchens, bathrooms, rental properties, and family homes. It’s waterproof, durable, and convincingly high-end without the high maintenance of wood or stone.

Laminate FlooringGreat for bedrooms, hallways, or living areas in mid-range rentals or flips. Look for thicker boards with realistic grain and a high AC rating.

Sheet Vinyl (Roll Vinyl)Budget-friendly and easy to install—ideal for cloakrooms or short-term lets—but needs perfect fitting to avoid looking cheap.

LinoleumEco-conscious, natural, and durable. A sustainable option gaining traction in modern interior design.

When to Spend:Use engineered wood in entrance halls, living spaces, and high-end flips. It adds warmth, texture, and an instant sense of quality.

Pro tip: Buyers might not spot the difference between £20/m² and £80/m² flooring, but they’ll feel it underfoot and that influences their perception of value.

This huge 5 bed property has cushion vinyl to save on cost. Not that you’d know it!

2. Kitchens: Style It Up Without a Full Rip-Out

The kitchen is a key selling point in any property. It’s where buyers imagine daily life so it needs to feel clean, considered, and aspirational.

Cost-Effective Kitchen Upgrades:

• Paint or wrap the cupboards

• Swap handles for black, brass, or knurled options

• Update the tap to something bold or functional (like a hot water tap)

• Add LED strip lighting

These tricks are ideal for rental properties, flips, or tired kitchens with solid bones.

Mid-Level Refurb Options:

• Replace cabinet doors

• Upgrade worktops to faux stone

• Refresh splashbacks

• Reconfigure layout slightly for flow

These options are all perfect for mid-range developments where buyers expect quality, not luxury.

New Kitchen Installations: When to Go All In

In high end developments, go for integrated appliances, quartz worktops, and a well planned layout. Opt for timeless cabinetry in muted colours or soft contemporary shades.

Avoid: ‘Shouty’ colours (or high gloss red and black) and overspending in entry level areas (you won’t make that back). Always design for your market.

A budget kitchen in an interesting colourway stands out for the photos.

3. Lighting: Go Bold Where It Counts

Lighting can completely change the feel of a space. It’s one of the most powerful and affordable upgrades when staging a home to sell.

Budget Lighting Tips That Add Value:

• Affordable pendants from IKEA, Habitat, or Dunelm

• Always use warm white bulbs (2700K–3000K)

• Stick to simple white ceiling spots as they disappear into the ceiling; not chrome

If you're staging with WildKind Interiors, we often supply pendant shades, so developers can avoid costly fittings.

When to Invest in Statement Lighting:

• Over dining tables, staircases, or kitchen islands

• Wall lights in living rooms or bedrooms

• Under-cabinet lighting or bathroom mirror illumination

Avoid: Dated chrome spot bars and inconsistent lighting finishes. Go for a cohesive, layered scheme that balances ambient and task lighting.

Wall lights cast a beautiful light over a room.

4. Paint & Colour: Cohesion Over Cost

Paint is one of the simplest ways to transform a property on a budget. But getting the colour wrong can cost you far more than upgrading the tin.

How to Use Colour Strategically in Property Staging:

• Stick to soft neutrals like taupe, warm off-whites, or clay tones

• Layer with complementary shades in bathrooms or bedrooms

• Repeat colours in carpets, tiles, and accessories for flow

When to Use Designer Paints:

• Feature walls or standout focal points

• Front doors or high-traffic woodwork

• Premium developments where quality matters

Avoid: Magnolia, brilliant white (too stark), and true grey (too cold). These shades can make even well-finished interiors feel dated and lifeless.

5. Furniture & Staging: Mix and Elevate

Staging isn’t about filling a space, it’s about creating an emotional connection (this is something I believe in very strongly and you’ll read about in most of my blogs). It helps buyers picture the lifestyle and feel ‘at home’ instantly.

Budget Staging That Looks Premium:

• Mix neutral staples with texture: boucle, velvet, jute, rattan

• Use second-hand pieces for character and quality

• Ditch the matching sets for a more curated, high-end feel

When to Invest:

Accessories, layout, and styling are what sell the space. If that’s not your strength (or you don’t have time), hire a professional staging company. It’s cheaper than your first price reduction and far more effective.

Statistic: Professionally staged properties sell up to 50% faster than empty ones, even with the same finish.

Avoid:

• Flat-pack furniture packs that scream “landlord”

• Rooms with no clear function

• Flimsy or cheap pieces that undermine the quality of the fit-out

Final Thoughts: Interior Design That Pays Off

There’s a fine line between clever budgeting and cutting corners. The best interior design choices are the ones that create emotional impact and perceived value, without draining your profit.

At WildKind Interiors, we specialise in helping investors and developers make smart, stylish choices that sell faster and for more.

Need help striking the right balance in your next property? 

Let’s talk.